Judy McKnight's Napolog

Web log of Napo's general secretary

June 20, 2007

Early Release

Herewith a copy of our press release on the early release of prisoners - also reproduced under Press Releases on the Napo website.

I have also written to Roger Hill asking what action is being taken to address the resource implications of this for the Probation Service.

Press Release

Embargo: 16.30 hrs, 19 June 2007

Early Release of Prisoners

Commenting on today’s Ministry of Justice announcement Harry Fletcher, Assistant General Secretary of Napo, the Probation Union, said:

“Prison overcrowding is a problem of the Government’s own making. It has known that prison numbers have been predicted to rise for the last 10 years, yet they did not build more jails, did not ensure that less offenders were sent down, and they failed to fund alternatives to custody. “

He added:

“We need assurances that suitable accommodation and resources for resettlement will be made available to the Probation Service to assist with early release. Unfortunately there is no sign that additional resources will be made available. It is therefore highly likely that the prisoners will reoffend and be returned to custody in a matter of months. Napo has been urging the extension of the use of release on temporary licence for months, it is disappointing that Ministers have allowed this crisis to heighten. The use of early release will ensure that the courts do not implode in the very near future.”

Posted by jmcknight at June 20, 2007 08:58 AM